The Washington Nationals powerful offense has gotten the job done in the first two games of the series at Great American Ball Park. This afternoon the Cincinnati Reds will look to stifle things a bit and salvage something rather than get swept in the 3-game set. First pitch today is scheduled for 12:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Washington Nationals | Cincinnati Reds |
| James Wood – RF | Dane Myers – CF |
| Luis Garcia Jr. – 1B | Elly De La Cruz – SS |
| Brady House – 3B | Sal Stewart – 1B |
| CJ Abrams – SS | Spencer Steer – LF |
| Jacob Young – CF | JJ Bleday – DH |
| Daylen Lile – LF | Blake Dunn – RF |
| Nasim Nunez – 2B | Matt McLain – 2B |
| Jorbit Vivas – DH | Jose Trevino – C |
| Drew Millas – C | Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B |
| Foster Griffin – LHP | Chase Burns – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Chase Burns | 47.0 | 2.11 | 1.04 | 16 | 48 |
| Foster Griffin | 46.2 | 2.12 | 1.03 | 15 | 42 |
| Links: Chase Burns’ Stats | Foster Griffin’s Stats | |||||
Chase Burns
This season Burns has had seven very good starts and one tough one. He’s been one of the best pitchers in MLB so far this season and he’s shown few signs of letting up. In his two starts so far in May he’s allowed one earned run in 13.0 innings against Pittsburgh and Houston.
The platoon splits against Burns are quite big. He’s been about as dominant as you can be against right-handed hitters. They have done absolutely nothing against him, with an OPS lower than two players in the league currently have for a batting average. But left-handed hitters have been quite successful against him. They are hitting for a solid average, walking a lot, and they have hit for plenty of power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 85 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 21 | .133 | .153 | .181 |
| LHH | 99 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 27 | .259 | .364 | .482 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 98.3 | 90.9 | 90.0 |
| Usage | 55% | 38% | 7% |
Foster Griffin
Before the 2023 season, Griffin had just 8.0 total innings in MLB. He headed to Japan from 2023-2025 and was outstanding there, posting a 2.57 ERA in 315.2 innings. This offseason he returned to the US and signed with Washington and he’s picked up right where he left off and has been one of the best pitchers in MLB to this point in the season. In his last start he allowed one earned run and struck out nine Marlins in 7.0 innings.
The platoon splits haven’t been large against Griffin this season. The lefty has held left-handed hitters to an incredibly low average, but when they have found the rare hit it’s been for extra bases more often than not. Right-handed hitters have found more success against him, but they still haven’t done much of anything as they hit for a low average, don’t walk, and haven’t hit for power.
As an aside – it may have happened before, but I don’t recall writing a preview before where a pitcher threw seven different pitches. Forster Griffin does. The proverbial “everything but the kitchen sink” guy – but he might throw that, too.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 129 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 26 | .212 | .273 | .339 |
| LHH | 61 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 16 | .148 | .246 | .315 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | Split | |
| Velo | 91.8 | 91.3 | 88.0 | 78.2 | 80.2 | 83.0 | 81.4 |
| Usage | 17% | 11% | 30% | 8% | 15% | 12% | 8% |
When and Where
- Game time: 12:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 60°, partly cloud, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Elly De La Cruz has become on of MLB’s best all-around players
A free article today at The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal wrote about how Elly De La Cruz has become one of the best players in baseball. While De La Cruz didn’t contribute any quotes for the article, a whole lot of his teammates and a few opponents did, as well as coaches on the staff. While I believe that Rosenthal missed the mark with a few things, there’s still a whole lot of good stuff in there.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 27 | 16 | 0.0 | 82.1% |
| Milwaukee | 23 | 17 | 2.5 | 58.2% |
| St. Louis | 24 | 18 | 2.5 | 25.2% |
| Pittsburgh | 23 | 20 | 4.0 | 57.5% |
| Cincinnati | 22 | 21 | 5.0 | 11.8% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
I did see some good news on the Reds today. Goldsmith is reporting that Greene will throw his first bullpen session on 5/26. If that goes well, he’ll rejoin the Reds for further rehab, e.g., a minor league assignment. Sounds like Greene getting back before the end of June is moving feasible to likely. Let’s hope things go well.
That’s not exactly what he reported. The bullpen session part is right. But then he said Greene would join the Reds on the 29th to continue his rehab. There was no mention at all of a minor league assignment.
It just means that Greene will be in Cincinnati to continue his throwing program rather than remain in Arizona where he had been working on his rehab and throwing.
You’re correct of course. I read the article based on Goldsmith’s tweet, not Goldsmith’s actual tweet. My bad. Still, it does sound encouraging.
He needs to learn the knuckleball to have an 8th pitch in his arsenal.
Multi-hit games, stellar defense (with the occasional hiccup… hiccups happen), a great attitude, speed, power… De La Cruz is actually living up to the hype and seems capable of going beyond it. Along with Stewart (fingers crossed), De La Cruz makes the Reds fun to watch. Not since MVP Votto have we seen excellence on this level, day-in, day-out. So I’m conflicted. I would love to see him sign a 10-year billion dollar contract and be a Red for life. But with that skill level and that attitude, De La Cruz deserves a chance to play on a consistent contender. I’d hate to see him Mike Trout-ized… The Reds ABSOLUTELY need to go for it in the remaining years of the current contract, though.
I live in North Carolina and yet MLB seems to think that Washington, D.C. is in our TV market. Therefore, I’ll once again be following the game on here and on ESPN gamecast.
Yep, MLB’s “markets” are far too expansive.
I live in NC, too. Braves (4-hour drive), Nationals (7-hour drive) and Orioles (7-hour drive) AND Reds (7-hur drive) all blacked out…
I’m in Raleigh. Nats and Orioles are “our market”. I did a free trial of Nats TV for this series. Otherwise, I “travel” to a country other than the US to watch those games.
Great article on Elly. He declined to comment. I take that as he doesnt want to talk about himself. A neighbor a few years ago who is part of the grounds crew part time. Told me he was in dugout when Elly made his 1st appearance. Said Elly is a very humble individual and actually somewhat shy. Now that was 3 years ago,but always stuck with me. Dude is very humble.
The Reds need to go to the plate with a gameplan to hit that slider and its 158% chance of coming to the plate. LOL!
OH NO
Reds haven’t been swept in GABP series since a very long time ago…I don’t remember if the Nats were just who did it by the way… But the lineup today is showing a horror movie from the 6th to 9th hitters Dunn, McLain, Trevino and Hayes against Nats ace. That isn’t really encouraging…Hope they could hit and score more than Nats…
So we’re planning on Burns throwing a shutout? Trevino, Myers, McLain, Hayes, and Dunn all in the lineup.
We may be hoping that Burns will be the first pitcher in MLB history to force an opponent into negative run territory, so we can win while being shut out.
Who is not playing, who is consistently better, aside from in our memories, hopes, and dreams?
Reverse jinx for the win!
LOL … good job! I’ll take an assist.
That part of the lineup has 9 RBI’s so far. Glad we didn’t sit them today. Bleday has the remainder.
This is a bit of a curious lineup defensively: Steer in LF, Bleday @ DH, and Stewart @ 1B?
11.8% chance for playoffs has me excited.
It goes down everyday, May has been a horrible month and if things don’t improve this team could be all but out of the race by Memorial Day = long meaningless summer for Red fans.
Light afternoon on the left side of my desk, so video and audio are on. We’ll see what Burns can do.
Not that anyone cares but going with Miami Xavier Edwards to score a run (+100). He’s hitting .318 (.406 obp) and actually has 4 HRs too. The Fish deal anyone that could ever possibly make any $ down the line and thats the kind of guy the Reds could get and just stick at leadoff for 4-5 years atleast.
This current roster won’t cut it…even when healthy.
I tell ya when Greene comes back. You are looking at two potential cy winners in same rotation. Greene when healthy is as dominant as they come at least in my opinion.
Burns is developing into that type of pitcher
.
The potential is definitely there.
Of course, you can’t spend “potential”.
True, and maybe I am a internal optimist. I just think if they can stay close till Greene comes back. Reds can see something special with Greene and Burns towards a playoff run. Of course they need to start winning!!!
It’s gonna feel like such a waste to have two high end starters, a meh bullpen, and a horrid offense.
Burns or Abbott or pray for rain right now.
That was a fun half of our 1st inning … 😐
This guy is going to make the hitters look awful, nothing new.
keeps putting Hayes at 3rd and hoping for a miracle when he comes to the plate…sad
Eat some crow. I hear it’s delicious.
Depends upon how it’s prepared.
@RichardFinch. I like to cook my crow in a crockpot. 6 hours minimum. Chicken broth,garlic powder
This kind of offspeed pitchers throwing splitters and 91 mph fastball usually do much damage to the Reds… Griffin K’ed the side in this first inning…
Nobody interfered with that one.
The one dude turned his back like nope. Hahaha.
That’s why I like McLain swinging early. The best pitches he sees are usually the first pitch and he takes them.
McLain, you hitting savant you.
I myself will never understand the dis like or negativity towards Steer. Dude is good ball player
Steer with a really nice catch
McLain I think is showing he can be a solid daily 8 or 9 option in the lineup or super utility player. Just keep him out of the top 5 of the lineup I think.
A team could sustain a one player like him in the lineup, but they are carrying about 4 such guys at the same time.
Hayes couldn’t catch up to that first pitch 90 mph fastball this guy does not belong in major league baseball
everytime he plays it just reminds everyone of the horrible trade the team made last seasone to bring him from Pitt….at least when he is on the bench….I don’t have to be reminded when he comes to the plate
Just hit a two run double.
Watching these guys hit there is no way Marte and Aroyo and maybe even HRod could be any worse.
Steer just keeps rolling along.
Man Sal just does’t look like the same player as a few weeks ago. The rookie from St. Louis is outperforming him badly.
Wetherholt?
Which rookie is that?
Not sure because Wetherholt isn’t out performing him and if he is talking about Walker then he isn’t a rookie.
Given Sal’s age and quick ascent through the system, he is a guy a team with any offensive depth at all might consider sending back to to AAA to get his head straightened out.
This may be something to watch for if Stewart is still scuffling when Suarez returns.
Sal isn’t going anywhere. The Reds have a lot more guys they will ship out before Sal. 7 hits in last 25 .280 BA. coming into today . 2 Doubles and a Homer.
Sal had 3 hits two games ago.
And some good AB’s last night that didn’t result in hits
Given Sal’s age and quick ascent through the Reds system, a team with any offensive depth at all might consider sending him back to AAA to get things straighted out.
This may be something to watch for when Suarez returns.
When your designated runner is batting 6th something has gone badly wrong.
Trevino in a clutch moment … We’ll see…
He did it
McLain has looked good since his line-out yesterday. A breakout is coming.
Bottom of the order doing the job today.
Yep, a nice surprise.
How about that,
Bottom of the lineup on fire today!
Trevino 2 rbi
Hayes 2 rbi
MMC 2 rbi
Huge and let’s hope it carries over!!!
Wow Trevino and Hayes drive in 4 runs for the Reds…incredible! Baseball is fun… Now Hayes earns to start 20 games bonus
Hayes! Miracles do happen!
You guys are Wehterholt has about the same stats as Sal but at one time Sal was way ahead.
That’s not what you said. You said Wetherholt was outperforming him badly. Sal leads him in almost every category.
I said your right or I ment.
There’s no way the Reds don’t have a better option than Myers SOMEWHERE on that Louisville roster . He is serving no useful
purpose on this level .
… and I mean the outfield too …. Bring Marte back up here …. 1000 times more upside than this guy . No way he’s worse than this …
Elly doesnt seem in a hurry like he used too. What I mean is, he seems silky smooth at ss.
Two missed throws and Burns has to run up his pitch count.
I was thinking the same. Those miscues probably cost half an inning at least off of what they can get from Burns.
Let Burns go as long as he can….do not bring Tony in please
Despite Burns could get out of jam unscathed , his error and Trevino’s costs 7 extra pitches in this inning to reach 76 instead of 69. …
Griffin was very good coming into this game. Reds so far have 6 runs on 6 hits against him. Shows me alot about this team.
Bleday doesn’t get cheated
Wow, what a pick up so far!!
Left on left crime for JJ Ble-Crank!
Nice to see bottom of the order come through. Helps just having guys on in general, reds need higher obp players in general in the lineup.
Bleday! putting this game away 9-0 He adjusted his swing against this lefty through the game…Good job
I am sorry I meant to say, I was wrong, they are about the same now but at one time Sal was way ahead of Weatherholt but he has fallen back lately.
@mark. Ok stop it with the weatherholt thing…lol
Burns is a flat out stud. Washington can hit and he is shutting them down.
+10000000, JB.
Except for the 3 errors, this is a good game. Even the guys that haven’t been hitting have hits today. And Burns continues to impress. If Greene comes back strong, they’ll make a nice 1-2 punch. Being one of the oldsters here, sitting around waiting on the slow, slow doctor, at least I get a good game. And the doctor gets his semiannual financial contribution from the insurance company
Though my ancient IPhone’s battery is starting to run down
Hahaha
I hope it lasts, LDS.
Nice to see some of the bottom of the lineup guys pick it up today. I’d probably let Burns get through the 6th and then pull him. Need to save innings where you can.
Well, now that his pitch count is running up it doesn’t seem like much of a decision.
The difference is huge watching Elly play defense last year and this year.
I agree. He must have worked hard.
That error is going to cost Burns another inning.
Maybe Burns is out of gas…
Well, I guess, there is one reason Myers is an option?
You took the thought right out of my mind.
Trevino AND Hayes RBI hits, back to back. True miracle
Myers with the catch. Dude is a good player
My first thought when seeing the 9-0 score: “Burns deserves a game like this.”
My first thought was ,”That might be enough runs to let even Santillan pitch. “
Now we’ll see how Tito is going to handle this lead with the bullpen…Luis Mey, Phillips and Santillán ?
Burns solid ! Nice job !
Burns was brilliant… he tossed 6 scoreless allowing only 2 hits with 7 Ks against a lineup having many Reds killers
Quick question, didnt the reds bullpen last season in May implode only to rebound?? Seems like to me
Ump stinks at low strikes and balls
Call me crazy, but I would love to see Marte and Arroyo called up tomorrow and Dunn and Benson down. Keep the offense going!!!!
Bleday again
Bleday has 6 HRs in 54 ABs and 13 WALKS against 10 SO. Great ratio
On a 1.4 million dollar contract.
Bleday capps off a big day
Matty is 8 for 26 in his last 8 games. With two homers and 7 rbi. Better days comming , lets keep our fingers crossed.
I dislike when a position player is brought in. To me it ruins the integrity of the game. Maybe I am ole fashion. Lol
I don’t like it, but you have to protect the bullpen arms at some point. The alternative is to implement a “mercy rule” like in slow-pitch softball.
Sure, Trevinio … just woof at the first pitch from Wiemer and pop it up.
Mey looks like he’s so close to making “the leap”. He has the right stuff, he just needs to make a slight adjustment to stop missing so low.
I don’t remember him having a slider with that much movement, that pitch looks devastating, if he can locate it.
Fastball, sinker, slider, changeup should be a good combo for someone who can hit triple digits. He just needs that one last little tweak…
At least Wiemer got an out so they can calculate his ERA 😀
He’s throwing to hard. Need to get that fastball down in the 50s
Wiemer making Trevino look like an ace.
Wiemer hits 85. He is in Suter territory
First time the Reds are facing a positional player as pitcher this season
Actually it’s not,elly hit a homer off position player a couple weeks back
LOL umpire is like gonna just call all strikes lol
Unless the batter physically can’t reach the ball, it’s a strike to this ump.
Maybe he had Taco Bell before the game and desperately needs it to be over.
Hahaha
Bleday now slashing .321/.455/.755 in 53 ABs.
After this game, we know at least one MLB Chumpire who doesn’t like ABS at all.
Reds avoid the sweep, keep playing above .500 mark…Big offense today and outstanding game by Burns
game helped with the reds run differential